Use Social Media to Engage, Not Annoy

December 28, 2010

People use social media and e-mail primarily to connect with people and businesses that matter to them. They want to interact, but they don’t always want intrusive sales messages. That’s an interesting conundrum for advertisers who use social media sites: how do we use social media effectively to interact with our brand in a new way? The key is to engage, not annoy.

Baby Talk

Don’t get us wrong—social media tools are a good way to let your customers know about your specials, sales and great deals that are happening right now. But there are ways to take your social media communications even further so you get more long-term benefit from your efforts.

Here are some effective ways our clients are using social media and e-mails to engage customers:

Power Brokers, Inc., is running a promotion called “You Play, We Pay” in its e-newsletter. The promotion awards $50 to one e-newsletter subscriber a week who submits a story about using snowmobiles, motorcycles or ATVs. While the business is actually giving away money for this promotion, it’s an investment that will pay off in the long run. The business’s consumers are a close-knit community that like to share their adventures. And thanks to HenkinSchultz Traffic™, we know the link to the weekly story has been the most popular link in the e-newsletter.

Avera Health sends Baby Talk e-newsletters to new parents who’ve signed up for the service. The e-newsletters provide them with information, resources, healthcare professionals and support groups that help them to raise healthy children.

The Gas Stop used Facebook to promote several contests that brought foot traffic to their stores. Contestants were chosen through Facebook, and the results of the contests (including hot dog eating, ice cream eating and candy-counting) were shared online. The Gas Stop’s Facebook page experienced increased traffic during this time period.

By amie

Filed Under Advertising, HenkinSchultz

Food, Friends and Wonderment

December 14, 2010

It’s that time of year when the entire building smells like chili. And tacos. And cocktail weenies. It’s the season for HenkinSchultz’s 11th Annual Treat Day Countdown to Holiday Fun … A Festival of Food, Friends and Wonderment. And the eating is gooooood.

Each day a different group of HenkinSchultz overachievers brings in a treat or even a meal to share with everybody. Sometimes there’s a theme (yesterday’s was Welcome to the Jungle), sometimes the food rests on the laurels of its deliciousness.

Either way, it’s impressive. If you’re in the neighborhood, pop into the Pomp Room and see what food, friends and wonderment you find down there. Peace!

Paul Bunyan

Web Designer Karla Hassebroek won today’s cookie-decorating contest with her entry, Paul Bunyan.

Karla and her prize

Turns out Karla designs cookies AND websites with panache. Here’s Karla with her prize!

By amie

Filed Under HenkinSchultz